Peak Season Surcharges 2024: USPS

U.S. Postal Service announces temporary rate changes for the 2024 holiday shipping season

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced temporary rate changes for the 2024 peak holiday season. These adjustments, pending approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), are designed to cover the extra handling costs associated with the holiday shipping surge. The new rates apply to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage shipments, effective from October 6, 2024, through January 19, 2025.

These changes bring USPS pricing in line with competitive market practices, ensuring the Postal Service can continue to deliver nationwide, six days a week, in a financially sustainable way. This temporary price increase is part of USPS’s broader Delivering for America 10-year plan, which aims to revitalize the organization and achieve its public service mission.

Commercial pricing adjustments

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage (Zones 1-4):

• $0.30 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $0.45 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $0.75 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $3.00 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage (Zones 5-9):

• $0.70 increase for Priority Mail and $0.35 increase for USPS Ground Advantage for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for Priority Mail and $0.75 increase for USPS Ground Advantage for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $2.75 increase for Priority Mail and $1.25 increase for USPS Ground Advantage for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $7.00 increase for Priority Mail and $5.50 increase for USPS Ground Advantage for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express (Zones 1-4):

• $1.00 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $1.50 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $3.50 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $8.95 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express (Zones 5-9):

• $1.75 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $3.95 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $7.50 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $13.00 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Retail pricing adjustments

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage (Zones 1-4):

• $0.40 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $0.55 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $0.95 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $4.00 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage (Zones 5-9):

• $0.90 increase for Priority Mail and $0.50 increase for USPS Ground Advantage for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $1.45 increase for Priority Mail and $1.00 increase for USPS Ground Advantage for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $3.25 increase for Priority Mail and $2.00 increase for USPS Ground Advantage for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $8.50 increase for Priority Mail and $5.85 increase for USPS Ground Advantage for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express (Zones 1-4):

• $1.10 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $3.90 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $9.75 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express (Zones 5-9):

• $2.00 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $4.85 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $9.00 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $16.00 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

For complete details on the new pricing, please visit the Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

How brands can still get the best shipping rates

While these temporary rate changes may affect your shipping costs this holiday season, brands can still find ways to save. By using Shippo, you can access discounted shipping rates across multiple carriers, including USPS, ensuring you're getting the most competitive prices for your shipments. Shippo’s easy-to-use platform integrates seamlessly with your existing systems and offers powerful tools for tracking, managing, and optimizing your shipping processes.

With Shippo, you can stay ahead of rate increases, streamline your logistics, and focus on growing your business during the busy holiday season.

Ready to save on shipping? Join Shippo today and start shipping smarter.

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